Related Links

LA JOLLA, Calif. - A three-run Gator sixth broke a 1-1 deadlock as UC San Diego was defeated by San Francisco State University, 4-1, in the opener of a four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) baseball series Friday night at Triton Ballpark.

UCSD dropped to 17-16 overall with a third straight loss and 12-13 in the CCAA. SF State broke a four-game skid in improving to 11-22 overall and 8-17 in league play.

The visitors struck first in the fourth inning. Justin Lamb doubled to the gap in left center with the first pitch of the frame, though Triton senior Richard Seigel, making his first appearance of the year in left field, almost gunned him down at second. UCSD starter Ryan Goodbrand then went to 2-0 counts to each of the next two Gators before rallying to retire them both on a swinging strikeout and a flyout. After Carter Loud drew a base on balls, Lamb narrowly swiped third, which would prove to be an important maneuver as Joseph Chedid’s infield single to shortstop still did enough to net the game’s first run.

UCSD answered immediately in the bottom half. Seigel’s one-out single to center preceded an RBI double to left center by junior catcher Nick La Face for a 1-1 tie.

Lamb started the sixth-inning rally with another infield hit. A bunt and a single put runners at the corners. Loud then took a 2-1 offering from Goodbrand out to the opposite field. Junior rightfielder Scott Liske went to ground to try and make the play, but came up short, the ball skipping through toward the wall for a two-run triple. Chedid’s RBI groundout to the right side would cap the scoring.

Moyer doubled to lead off the home seventh as the SF State leftfielder and centerfielder miscommunicated, only for a foulout, groundout and flyout to leave him stranded at second. It was Moyer again with a sharp liner to left with one away in the ninth, but Grady Espinosa sprinted in and dove forward for the tough grab.

Goodbrand (6-3) lost a second consecutive start for the first time, allowing all four runs on eight hits and a walk over 6.0 innings. He struck out seven. The senior right-hander needed just five pitches to get through a 1-2-3 third, and also retired the Gators in order in the fifth with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. Scott Zeman and David Hart combined for three scoreless frames in his relief.

SF State starter Ryan DeJesus (1-2) tossed seven complete innings for his first winning decision of 2013. He gave up the one run on five hits and two walks, striking out four. Trae Lopez set down the last five Triton batters for his first save.

Five Gators finished with two hits apiece among 11 on the night as a team. Loud and Chedid each drove in two and Lamb scored twice.

UCSD and San Francisco State continue their series on Saturday, Apr. 6, with a doubleheader beginning at noon at Triton Ballpark.

Triton Notes:Nick La Face has started 90 straight games … Richard Seigel has started 70 games in a row … Seigel’s previous 69 successive starts came at first base, with the first outfield start of his Triton career coming in left field tonight … UCSD lost in back-to-back Ryan Goodbrand outings for the first time since he arrived from Irvine Valley College … The Tritons are now 19-5 when Goodbrand pitches … In his 24 starts in a UCSD uniform, Goodbrand has gone 5.0 innings or more in 23 of them … Scott Liske’s third-inning double was his first of the year … Nick La Face and Dillon Moyer provided their ninth and 10th doubles of 2013, respectively … Garrett Tuck’s fifth-inning sacrifice gave him seven for the season.